European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effect of adding two different doses (10 mg and 20 mg) of intrathecal meperidine with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine on the onset, incidence and intensity of shivering during lower limb surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Methods: This was a hospital-based randomized controlled trial study conducted among 60 patients aged between 18 and 60 years of physical status ASA grade 1 and ASA grade 2 of either sex undergoing elective lower limb surgeries at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, from December 2015 to September 2017 after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants.  Results: The onset and intensity of shivering were greater in group 1 than in group 2 (p =0.007). The duration of shivering was significantly prolonged in group 1 compared to group 2 (p=0.004). There was a significant drop in temperature in both groups at 25 minutes (p<0.001) and 1 hour (p<0.001). The noted side effects were vomiting and pruritis. Conclusion: 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 20 mg of meperidine prevents shivering better with respect to incidence, intensity and duration of shivering when compared to 10 mg meperidine. Hence, we conclude that meperidine can be safely used at dosages of both 10 mg and 20 mg for the prevention of shivering with no significant difference with respect to complications.